The iconic Marcel Breuer building on Madison Avenue, after years of lying empty, was once the Whitney Museum of American Art, then The Met Breuer, then The Frick’s mid-reno waystation, and now the lobby is sporting a revamped look, with its signature elements all intact: the bluestone floors, the dome lights and the concrete walls. The landmarked building is now Sotheby’s new worldwide headquarters and home to their New York galleries at 945 Madison Avenue.
The addition of auction rooms, new client spaces, administration offices, replaced lighting, modernized elevators, and upgrades to all security systems are just some of the elements of this historic project. Additionally, the renovation has allowed for easier turnover of the galleries, more gallery space, better logistics and overall improvements to maximize the space. Built in 1966, The Breuer Building is a total of 85,100 gross square feet across 5 stories, a lower level, subcellar, and 6th floor mechanical room. The Breuer Building was designated as an individual and interior landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in May 2025, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places and Located within the LPC’s Upper East Side Historic District.
Take a Look Inside the Breuer Building
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